Roundtable: Elimination Chamber 2018

In this edition of The Wrestling Estate roundtable, the staff give their picks for WWE Elimination Chamber 2018.

Will Asuka go undefeated heading into WrestleMania?

Evan Cross: Almost certainly. Charlotte’s PPV win streak was ended at Fastlane last year, and it was not received well. I doubt they make the same mistake again, but knowing WWE, I wouldn’t put any jellybeans on it.

Anthony Mahalis: Yes, I believe Asuka will be undefeated heading into WrestleMania and beyond. My guess is that either during the Rousey contract signing or during the following Raw/Smackdown Asuka flips to the Smackdown roster and sets her sights on Charlotte.

Troy Taroff: Of course she will. What’s the point of losing her “streak” if it’s going to end before Mania? Keep it and move it forward toward the rest of 2018.

David Gibb: Yes. There’s absolutely no reason to beat her one month before the biggest show of the year. Nia Jax is the perfect opponent for this point in Asuka’s streak, as she’s got the power and size to put Asuka in jeopardy while still giving her a strong win.

John Corrigan: Absolutely, Asuka will actually go undefeated her entire WWE career, winning both the Raw and Smackdown Women’s Championships and holding them high during her Hall of Fame speech.

If Rousey faces Triple H and Steph at WrestleMania, who should be her partner?

Cross: The Rock is the obvious answer – it has to be a big name in this spot, otherwise it won’t be a big deal. I’m gonna go slightly off the board and predict Batista.

Mahalis: I really, REALLY hope that it isn’t Shane O’Mac. That would be the worst. The Rock would make sense, but I don’t think his schedule would permit for another match. So I am going with Kurt Angle. It would make sense for him to be Rousey’s partner because there was never any payback from Kurt for the Pedigree HHH delivered to him at Survivor Series. I can’t stress this enough, no Shane.

Taroff: This is definitely going to be the match, and all signs point to Kurt Angle. They had their stand off or whatever you call it a few months back, and Kurt needs a big match. This is it. Also, and sorry to all, The Rock isn’t showing up.

Gibb: Of all the people in the whole, wide world: CM Punk…but, realistically, the injury to Jason Jordan and the history with the Authority makes this a perfect slot for Rollins, fresh off being made to look like a once-in-a-generation star like Rousey in this week’s gauntlet.

Corrigan: Daniel Bryan. He is clearly being teased for a comeback, isn’t getting along with a McMahon, already has history with The Authority and just loves to mix up his martial arts.

Is WWE making the right call on eliminating single-branded PPVs?

Cross: I don’t really care what the PPVs are branded as so long as they cut down on the number of them.

Mahalis: 100%. The separate PPVs were diluting the product. Having just one PPV for both shows cuts down the number of matches that are total wastes of time.

Taroff: Absolutely. Most of these PPVs lately have just been extended versions of Raws and Smackdown Live. They don’t really feel special anymore. Putting the roster back together for one single PPV a month make a lot more sense.

Gibb: I think one PPV per month is best for the mental health of fans and WWE’s writers. With that said, I don’t like the idea of lengthening the shows, which as of my writing this has been a persistent rumor. I see two real drawbacks to the move, though: (1) You always have to put one World Title in the main event and one somewhere else on the show, diminishing value by comparison and (2) with Raw being a longer show, it stands to reason Raw matches could take up a noticeable majority of the shows, again diminishing SmackDown by comparison.

Corrigan: No, it’s a terrible move. Single-branded PPVs may be tedious, but they allow for the entire roster to get some spotlight. There is no way the Usos and New Day would have had the time for their great matches last year if they were crammed with Raw’s roster as well. If other members of the roster can’t hold their weight, then it’s up to them to improve.

Who will win the Women’s Elimination Chamber?

Cross: Bliss should retain. She’s still the most entertaining woman on Raw.

Mahalis: I’m going with Alexa Bliss retaining. I think we may be finally getting Sasha/Bayley, and although fighting for the title would elevate their feud, I don’t think they will want Bliss out of the title picture for Mania. A feud with her bestie Nia seems inevitable if Asuka indeed flips to Smackdown.

Taroff: Bliss. No other woman has any momentum right now to be Raw Women’s Champion. Maybe Sasha Banks (but only if she was heel).

Gibb: It feels to me like you get the title on Sasha and then do her and Bayley at WrestleMania, but then again, I’m pitching you a women’s singles match, which the WWE blatantly refuses to do.

Corrigan: I’m intrigued by this fake alliance between Bliss and Mickie, which you have to assume leads to Bliss turning on her in the Chamber and walking out as the most breathtakingly beautiful gorgeous champion ever.

Who will win the Men’s Elimination Chamber?

Cross: I’m crossing my fingers for Strowman, but betting on Reigns.

Mahalis: After Seth Rollins’ terrific performance on Raw this week, I would love to say that WWE changed their plans, but I don’t see that. The Big Dog will win at EC and dethrone the Beast at WrestleMania. I just hope they don’t waste Rollins at Mania. This is a golden opportunity for a Rollins-Miz feud for the IC Title.

Taroff: Roman Reigns. Can we move on?

Gibb: There are just so many big, protected stars in this match that I have to call something of a surprise. I think Balor gets the nod here because it’s do-or-die time for him as a championship-level character after the company never really found a way to make him whole after his inaugural Universal Title reign was cut short. I also think Cena and Elias somehow get married for WrestleMania in the course of the match.

Corrigan: Seth Rollins has made me a believer. Even though he wins the chamber, Reigns still finds a way to the Beast and we get a pseudo-rematch of WrestleMania 31 at WrestleMania 34.